Hi, I'm Meredith. 

"Mama hold me, Mama hold me."  He is 2.5 years old and had never uttered such a phrase.  I turned around took one look at him, a face covered in hives and his tiny finger stuck down his throat, his way of trying to tell me that it was rapidly closing, and our world has never been the same.  A 911 call, a jab of the Epi-Pen to the thigh in the driveway by the EMT, an ambulance ride to the local ER.  I think we're fine now...right? Yet the ER doctor is shaking like a leaf.  A team of doctors is waiting outside our room with what I  learned was a "crash cart."  I pull the nurse aside to ask if my son is going to be okay, the doctor looks concerned, should I be concerned?  She brings the doctor over, "Ma'm do you think your son would like a helicopter ride to Boston today? This is the worst case of anaphylaxis I have ever seen." 

 

That was 10 years ago.  

 

We went to Boston (via land, thankfully) and experienced a biphasic reaction.  We were sent home two days later with a prescription for an Epi-Pen Jr. and told to strictly avoid all tree nuts.  

 

That was it.  That is not okay. We can all do better, and I want to help. 

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We have learned a lot in the last 10 years.  I learned that "sense of impending doom" is a symptom of anaphylaxis and that "Mama, hold me" is how that presents when you are 2 years old.  I learned how to navigate my second born infant who was then diagnosed with dairy, egg, peanut, and sesame allergies to juggling the toddler years when the world seems to be covered in yogurt, cheddar goldfish, and PB&J - all within arms reach of tiny hands.

 

I have educated pre-schools and brought disgruntled parents to tears upon educating them of the seriousness of food allergies.  We have taught parents and children how to identify symptoms of anaphylaxis and how to administer epinephrine. We've read millions of labels and then some. We've become incredibly close with school nurses and asked a million questions.  We've participated in peanut patch clinical trials to help science.  We've supported local legislation and assisted in allergy discrimination legal actions.  

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10 years ago I was given a 1 page hand out on avoiding tree nuts and a prescription for an Epi-Pen Jr.    

My goal is that nobody else needs to feel so helpless.  

My goal is to educate as many people as possible.  

My goal is to advocate.  

My why are my boys.

 

My incredibly brave and confident children initially inspired me to dream of  maybe one day opening a nut-free bakery, but I think allergy parents spend enough time in the kitchen for one lifetime. I've spent my career advocating for clients in the family court setting.  I now hope to help you advocate for yourself and your family in the food allergy setting.  Let's do this together.